TRAVELSCAPES  02.26

De-Accelerating in Tuscany

By Diana Addison Lyle

Many southern Californian homeowners choose Tuscan architecture because it reminds them of dreamlike vacations in one of the most beautiful parts of the world with its rich history and Mediterranean climate. Thick walls and terracotta tiles help keep homes cool, while the emphasis on outdoor living spaces like patios and courtyards align with the Californian appreciation for indoor-outdoor lifestyles. Most charming of all is the aesthetic rustic elegance of Tuscany that we like to emulate.

We visited the Tuscan countryside in September 2025, one of the loveliest times of the year to visit, and it felt like everything you see in the movies. An easy two-hour drive from Rome and you arrive in Italy’s rural masterpiece with its relaxed lifestyle and sunsets so magical that they look like paintings. The tall Italian cypress trees that border majestic driveways leading up to magnificent Tuscan villas are iconic, and it’s impossible not to exhale and allow Tuscany to sweep you off your appreciative feet.

There are a host of Tuscan villas that have opened their doors to the public. They offer a wide range of options from luxury estates to charming farmhouses with so much character. We advise that you go online and view your many options.

We found a beautiful triple-story villa built with centuries-old traditional stone in the province of Grosseto in Tuscany. It was prominently situated on vast verdant grounds with a beautifully maintained garden full of lavender and rural shrubs. It boasted a stunning view of the surrounding countryside, and we loved the inviting infinity swimming pool where we decompressed every afternoon.

Sunsets are spectacular in Tuscany so every evening we watched the sky turn to a glorious orange color while we emulated the rich color with our classical Aperol Spritz beverages. When in Rome, do as the Romans do – and we certainly did what the Tuscans do while we were in their land.

From the moment we alighted from our rental car, we were greeted by the villa’s Siamese cat who stationed herself at the entry pillar. As she was sunning herself, she gave us a cursory meow, and days later, she followed us around like a guard dog. Many of the villas welcome you bringing your small dogs on vacation, and Mrs. Cat amusingly appeared at breakfast every morning, making sure that the visiting dogs knew that she was the villa’s supreme boss cat.

Our villa was close to the Mediterranean Sea, and we took advantage of this by taking daily trips down to the ocean. We visited charming small towns like Grosseto which has preserved medieval walls and an historical center. We meandered its streets and stopped for espressos at wonderful little cafés.

A visit to Siena just under two hours away from our villa was well worth it. We particularly appreciated the magnificent Duomo di Siena (Siena Cathedral), a masterpiece of Italian Gothic and Romanesque architecture known for its striking black and white marble exterior and richly decorated interior. It features intricate marble floors, works by artists like Michelangelo, Donatello, and Bernini, and the Piccolomini Library with frescoes by Pinturicchio. The fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo, is the site of the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and Torre del Mangia, a slender 14th-century tower with sweeping views from its distinctive white crown.

Florence, of course, is spectacular. From our villa, it was an easy two-hour drive. It is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance and is a dream destination for lovers of art and culture. Walking through Florence is like touring an open-air museum. Its charming cobblestone streets lead to monumental squares, awe-inspiring churches, palaces, and historical bridges that preserve the spirit of the Renaissance. The imposing Duomo in the foreground is breathtakingly beautiful, as is the whole city. Artistic genius is evident throughout Florence with highlights including the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli.

We were always happy to return to the peace and tranquility of our rural Tuscan villa where the pace of life is slower, and the quality of life is enhanced by the maintenance of vibrant social gatherings in small, family-owned restaurants that encourage their guests to enjoy la dolce vita late into the star-lit nights. We were thoroughly entertained by our visit to one of these homely restaurants where you felt like you were eating in grandma’s kitchen with age-old recipes nurtured and carried down for generations. While three generations of Italian women cooked in the kitchen, we were entertained by the family’s sisters chasing their younger brother with cooking towels – chiding him in their mother tongue to stop socializing – and to get to work!

If you are looking for the ultimate stress release, Tuscany is your place. The local Tuscans want you to throttle back the accelerator and only use it when you are driving your Ferrari. The pace of life here is purposefully relaxed, and I had to learn a valuable lesson in restaurants: that the speed of getting the check really didn’t matter while on vacation. The Tuscan lifestyle requires that you leave your cares behind and fully immerse yourself in the beauty under the Tuscan sun.